Japan
Minutes show BOJ waited to monitor markets
Minutes released on Thursday 20 July showed the Bank of Japan put off raising interest rates from zero at a board meeting in June because it wanted to monitor factors such as global markets and the U.S. economy.
OECD urges caution on BOJ rate moves
The Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development warned on Thursday 20 July that the Bank of Japan should not rush further interest rate increases while there is a risk of slipping back into deflation.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, July 2006
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its July 2006 monthly report on Wednesday 19 July. In the report the BOJ upgraded its wording on the assessment of the nation's economy describing it as "expanding moderately."
Upset about death of Fed watching? Come to Asia
According to this article from Bloomberg, published Wednesday 19 July, the Federal Reserve has so comprehensively demystified what it does, that anyone can become a Fed watcher.
Fukui on developments in Japan's economy
In a speech given on 16 June (published 18 July) Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said looking forward, exports are expected to continue rising against the background of further expansion of overseas economies.
Yosano says Fukui's investment a 'social' issue
Japanese economic and fiscal policy minister Kaoru Yosano said Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui's investment in a fund operated by Yoshiaki Murakami, is a "social issue."
BOJ raises rates, Fukui staying put
The Bank of Japan on Friday 14 July ended its five-year-old policy of keeping interest rates near zero, saying that the nation has emerged from deflation and overcome the long economic slump.
Comment: A new era for the BoJ
As expected the Bank of Japan raised interest rates for the first time since March 2001 at its monetary policy meeting on 14 July. The decision to end the zero interest rate policy (ZIRP) with a 25 basis point hike in the overnight rate was unanimous one.
IMF says BOJ hike welcome news
A senior IMF official on Friday 14 July welcomed the decision by the Bank of Japan to end the era of zero interest rates.
More Greenspan, less Volcker, needed in Japan
This article published Wednesday 12 July by Bloomberg says that the Bank of Japan may engineer its first interest rate increase since August 2000 on Friday.
Interview with the Japanese Finance Minister
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday 12 July there was no need for the Bank of Japan to rush the ending of its zero interest rate policy.
British pound passes yen in central bank reserves
According to this article by Bloomberg News published Monday 10 July, central banks around the world are increasing their holdings of British pounds.
Japan ruling party backs ending BoJ rate policy
The Bank of Japan has received clear backing from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on its plans to end the current zero interest rate policy.
Review of the Asian Bond Fund 2 Initiative
The Bank of Japan has announced that the EMEAP (Executives' Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks) Working Group on Financial Markets has released a report titled "Review of the Asian Bond Fund 2 Initiative."
Iwata on monetary policy under the new framework
In the speech 'The conduct of monetary policy under the new framework' given on 8 June (published 7 July) Kazumasa Iwata of the Bank of Japan said against a background of high crude oil prices, major countries around the world are in the process of…
Panel recommends BOJ disclosure rules
An advisory panel on Thursday 6 July recommended that the Bank of Japan should require its top officials to disclose personal financial assets.
BOJ will conduct appropriate policy for economy
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui reiterated on Thursday 6 July that the central bank will implement appropriate monetary policy by fully checking economic and price conditions.
BOJ to bar private funds holdings - report
The Bank of Japan plans to prohibit its senior officers from trading in stocks and holding stakes in private investment funds, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Wednesday 5 July, without identifying any sources.
Japanese cabinet minister backs BOJ rate hike
Japan's Economic and Fiscal Policy minister Kaoru Yosano told public broadcaster NHK conditions are being met for an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Japan.
ECB paper on Japanese forex intervention
Based on a GARCH framework and change point detection, the ECB Working Paper "A structural break in the effects of Japanese foreign exchange intervention on yen/dollar exchange rate volatility" tests for a structural break in the effectiveness of…
Report says BOJ likely to start raising rates
The Bank of Japan is expected to start raising interest rates this month or next, a news report said Monday 3 June.
Comment: Talking points in June
June has been a particularly eventful one for many emerging markets, with talk of increase risk aversion and reduced international liquidity driving a reversal of market sentiment towards emerging market currencies. The month also saw some important…
Fukui, would-be Greenspan of Asia, replaceable
According to this article from Bloomberg published Friday 30 June, Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui was urged to become the "Greenspan of Japan, if not Asia" soon after he began running the BOJ in 2003.
Bank of Japan may ban staff investment
A Bank of Japan panel decided Friday 30 June to recommend that the central bank ban its executives from investing in private funds, Kyodo News agency reported.